Method of and apparatus for registering films



Apnl 2, 1929. w. E. WHITNEY METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING FILMS Filed May 27, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet April 2, 1929.

w. E. wHlTN'r-:Y 1,707,699

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING FILMS Filed May 27. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 [veil/Zar April 2, 1929- w. E. wHxTNEY 1,707,699

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REGISTERING FILMS ZUZZL'aJmW/wjn ey Patented. Apr. 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.ASSIGNMENTS, TO TECHNICOLOR MOTION MASSACHUSETTS, .A CORPORATION O1? MAINE.

nn'rnon or AND Armimrrus Foa REGIsrERIiIG FILMS.

Application led Hay 27,

This invention relates to the art of printing cinematographic films (or any other strips carrying a series of pictures whether," motion or still) by imbibitionythat is, by the transfer of dye or pigment from a matrix printingfilm or strip by face contact with a blank strip or film to be printed, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for registering two films or strips, .that isbringing' them into contact in accurate predetermined relationship and/or holding them in `this relationship so that single pictures may be printed on a blank in accurate position relative to sprocket holes or other Vreference .points on the blank and/or complemental parts of pictures may be printed on the blank in accurate position relative to each other.

In a broad aspect the invention involves interengaging or interlocking the films together lin such manner that they are held in registered relation while traversing a long path which is preferably rectilinear, that 1s, approximately straight in contradistinction to agrotary path such as the'face of a wheel or drum, although in the preferred form of my invent-ion the films may t-ravel to and from and over rollers While interlocked as well as along straight paths. 'The interlocking is preferably effected by pins extending through openings in the films. The pins are preferably interconnected as by a metallic band traveling with t-he films and the band may be fast to one of the films as, for example, a metallic backing adhering to the back of the matrix film. However in the best practical application of my inventionof which I am aware they are mounted on an endless belt` Aseparate from both films (as claimed in companion application of Daniel F. Comstock, Serial Number 194,641 filed on even date herewith) with the pins or teeth adapted to fit the sprocket holes of the films or teeth in all or certain dimensions according to any known or desired system of pin registration.

In a more specific aspect the invention involves a thin band of metal or other non-extensible material, and means for engaging the films, such as projecting teeth, at uniformly spaced intervals along or adjacent to the edge of the film and forming substantially parallel rows. The band is suitably made of a width substantially equal to that of the film which it is to receive and may be provided 1927. serial No. 194,640.'

with a series of accurately and equally spaced perforatlons, forming a row parallel to and spaced slightly inward from each longitudinal margin of the strip. These perforations 'nay be spacedapart, in spond to the marginal tomarlly providedalong each side of films of this sort. The rows will also be spaced apart accurately, to correspond to the lspace between the parallel rows of sprocket holes 1n the films. Engaging means such as pins may then befpressed through the perforations 1n the blank and hence with and pass through the sprocket holes in the film, thereby effecting accurate registry PICTURE CORPORATION, 0F BOSTON,

each row, to corre-l sprocket holes cuspositioned to register of the film or films with each other and with the backing strip. By inserting such means through each pair (or regularly spaced pairs) of perforations and sprocket holes along the margins of the tively, an accurate registry and substantially permanent engagement ,of the strips is efected. A convenient adaptation of the in- Ventron in actual practice is provided by backing and films, respec,

permanently aflixing such engaging means or pins to the perforations of the backing strip. .The forward or upper ends of theengaging means or pin is also preferably tapered or rounded, to pass freely through the openings while the sides adjacent to the bottom are substantially parallel. The. pins may fit the sprocket holes in both dimensions, in which case one row of in some cases, longitudinally the other row transyersely of the film.

A typical and representative embodiment of the invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: I Y

f Fig. n l is a diagram of la backing strip (which may or may not be continuous)l and associated apparatus by which it is operated;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the backing showor the pins of one row may fit pins may be dispensed with,V

of the .film and the pins of ing two films, in superposed position thereon;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section with parts broken away, of a pair of gulde rollers lead the backing and films into superposed relationship, into registry and into Contact' adapted to Fig. 6'is a side elevation of the guiderollers shown in part by Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a cross-section on line 7 7 of Fig. 6; and l Fig. 8 is a plan view of one of the lateral channels shown in Fig. 7

In the drawings, numeral 1 indicates generally an extendedpath or guide supported by framework 2 and adapt-ed to convey the back- 10 ing strip 3 and film or films 5 which are brought intocontact in tank 4, pass between vrollers 6, 7, and after leaving the tank, be-

tween rolJlers, 8, 9, in chamber 10 and thence throu h path 1. The backing strip` is re;

turne to tank 4while the films may e gathered, at the opposite end, upon a reel or other device 10. v

The hacking strip 3 is shown as a thin sheet ofinetal 11 (Fig. 2)'/having a row of equally spaced openings '11 adjacent `and parallel to the longitudinal margins, (Figs. 2 and 8) through each of which is v`inserted a metal toothor pin 14 having a base 14 soldered'or otherwise aiixed to the under surface of'the 25 strip. Each pin vis of appropriate length and has relatively arallelsides, in the portion whichpasses tirough (and tightly fits) the opening 11 inthe backing strip and adjacent thereto, wh' e thenpper pointed as a 16'. l

' In the arrangement shown (Figs. 2 and 3) l the matrix film 12 carrying the relief or image-forming portion 13 on its upper surend is rounded or face lies flat against the backing, with the 3.5 teeth 14 passing upwardly through the marginal sprocket holes 12 therein. The blank,

' gelatin coated iilm 5 is brought into registry with film 12,v its' sprocket holes 5 coming into engagement over the teeth 14, and passing thence downwardly against Iilm 12, the

margins of the sprocket holes fitting and pressing slightly against the parallel sides of the upright position 17 of the teeth 14.

Apparatus for the imbibition printing of ihnswhich is typical ofthat in which the film conveying strip or backing is,used, (and more fulYly described in copendng applications lof oung and L. T. Troland, iledherewith, Serial. Nos. 1 194,642 and 194,671) is shown in Figs. 4 to 8. Thus guide or compression rollers 6, 7, are mounted in a tank 4 (Figs. 4 and 5) filled with water and provided with an overiow 18. The front ofthe tank is provided with a frame 19, having a glass 55 window 20 secured bylug 21, overthe bottom 'and top edges-and pressing the saine against washers 22,23, respectively. A second drain,

pipe V24 is provided in the bottom of the tank -for completely emptying the' tank, while a sup y pipe enters at 29.

he tank alsocontains a guide wheel 25, (for carrying the backing strip3) mounted upon an adjustable bearing 27 having flanges 2 8, slidable vertically between, guideways 30 o5 upon the side ofthe tank. A guide Vwheel 26 Compression roller 6 may be permanently I positioned in the tank upon` bearing 34, and is provided with a peripheral rim of rubber 36 on its face, having annular grooves-36` theein (Fig. 5) to receive thgbases 14 of ins 14 on strip 3. The upper rolleTisoun/ted in an adjustable bearing 35 sliding vertically in the guideways 33. The upper roller 7 is also provided with peripheral ring 37 and with slots'37 corresponding to and adapted to lit over the parallel rows of teeth 14 in tlrlacking strip 11. The bearing 35 is provided with a lseries of weights 38 fitting over an upright i post 39.

rilhe tank agitator 4() adjacent to the surfacebf film 12 on backing strip 11 before it comes into contact with film v5.

Atl the end of the tank is an aperture 41 standing opposite to aperture 42 in chamber 10, which is in turn covered by a plate 43 having a slit of just sufficient size to permit the composite strip to pass therethrough. An outerplate 45 is also provided. The bottom of .the chamber 10 is provided with a drain 46 to carry off such waste as may come through the slit or from the wet films.

Rollers 8 and 9, in chamber 10, are mounted between plates 47 48 (Figs. 6 and 7) which are secured to clamping member 49 by machine screws 50 and attached to the wall oi chamber 10 by projecting lugs 51 and 52 is also litted with a water inlet or and,turn bolt 53. The lower roller 9 is rotatably mounted on the fixed axis 54 while the upper roller 8 has a iioating axis 54 extending through lateral apertures 55, 56 having terminal heads 57, 58 at the ends secured by cotter pins 59. In the plates`47, 48 and at right angles to the end portions of the axis passing into Aapertures 55, 56, respectively, are provided threaded openings having coiled springs 61, 62, therein, -butting at their lower extremities against closed caps 63, 64, and tending to force the same into recesses 65, 66,

. formed in the axis 54'-, while at their upper ends they are adjustably retained by set lscrews 67, 68.

The periphery of lower roller 9 is provided with annular slotsl 69 positioned to correspond to its Contact with the under portions 14 of the rows of teeth 14 on strip' this is fashioned from suitabl resilient, thin steel, or Monel metal, or the ike, preferably non-corrosive and non-rusting, and sufficiently 'strong to resist the mechanical strains of operating the apparatus. A strip of suitable Width is first obtained and marginal rows of perforations formed therein. The teeth 14I maybe made from brass wire of suitable gauge, cut to appropriate and uniform lengths and rounded at their upper ends and headed off at their lower ends. as by suitable brass-shaping machinery which may simultaneously insert the tooththrough its perforation in the steel band. The expanded head is then soldered to the back surface of the steelstrip, While the upper rounded head i in accordance with the fixed dimensions of the protrudes a'given amount/above the upper surface. The parallel, usually cylindrical or square sides 17 firmly fit into'the perfora- .tion 11",' and extend through the band, ap-

preciably above' its upper surface and stand perpendicular thereto. l Y In opera-tion, in the apparatus shown (Flg.

4) the band 3 .passes under pulley 25 and 'through the water contained in tank 4. The matrix film 12 is registered therewith, (or may be` permanently affixed thereto) andreceives the teeth 14 through the sprocket holes 12 arranged along its longitudlnalmargins, as indicated in Fig. 2. As the backing strip and superposed matrix film pass under water jet 40, air bubbles, solid particles or the like are removed. T'he strip then passes vbetween the nip of rollers 6, 7, where it is joined by blank film 5 (see Fig. As the combined strips feed between the rollers the soldered bases 14 of teeth are received in grooves 36 of the lower roller` and the upwardly projecting portio'ishre received in grooves 37 of the upper roller. This permits the rollers 6 and 7 t0 force the films downwardly into contact with eacliother, the sprocket holes `engaging accurately theparallel sides 17 of" the teeth on the backing strip and successively aligning the films with each other and backing strip, both longitudinally and laterally, even beforeactual contact takes place. The resilient rubber surfaces 36 and 37 of the two rollers compress the films firmly t0- y gether, and downwardly 'over the teeth v14 vand firmly against the backing strip 3.

The strip and supcrposed films then pass out of the tank, through aperture 41 and between the spring pressed rollers 8 rand 9, Substantially all of the water thei'eon, being Withdrawn/by suction through lateral outlets 71, 72, or caught in the chamber 10. lThe films are then conveyed the fixed relationship thus established, through a cycle of suitable length, as for example to permit complete imbibition of the dyefrom the matrix -m-to the blank film. .gageinent of the )pins 14 The frictional enwith the-margins vo f the'spro'eketgholes in the films insures the separated and 'stripped off, which may be v .Fr In the foregoing it will be evident that this ique method of interlocking the films against relative movement permits the films to be flexedwhile held in registered relation to'each other so that they may travel to and from rollers or drums or along rectilinear paths, that is, approximately straight paths or non-rotary paths, while interlocked in registered contact.

I claim: y

1. A method of imbibition printing strips of films which comprises continuously passing the film to be printed and a matrix film along a rectilinear path While y interlocked against movement relatively to each other.

2.V A method of imbibition printing strips of films which comprises interlockinga matrix film and a film to be printed against relative movement While permitting the films to be longitudinally fiexed and continuously passing the films thus interlocked along a predetermined path.

3. Cinematographic apparatus for imbibition printing comprising means for conveydone readily in any obvious manner.

and a film to be printed in intimate face cony tact with each other and means traveling'` with the films in interengagement therewith for holding the films against relative movement While traversing said path.

4. Cinematographic apparatus for imbibition printing gomprising meansfor conveylng along a predetermined path a matrix film and a film to be printed in intimate face contact with each other and means traveling with the films in interengagement therewith for holding the films against relative movementy While permitting the films to flex longitudinally. Y

5. Cinematographic film apparatus, com- /prising a fiexible strip, and registering pins distributed longitudinally thereof.'

6. Cinematographic apparatus comprising a fiexible strip, tapered'registering pins projecting from one side of the strip, and spaced apart at regular intervals longitudinally of the margins.

7. Cinematographic apparatus comprising a flexible strip, tapered registering pins'projecting from one side thereof, and a film bearing avseries of.d pictures, affixed to said side intermediate of said pins.

8. In cinematographic apparatus, means for holding one cinematographic film in registration with a similar fiexible -film having sprocket holes in the margins, one film'having a plurality of teeth suitably spaced for engagement with the sprocket holes in the cinematographic film. 4

9. Cinematographic apparatus for holding one cinematographic film 1n registration with V130 anothercomprisinv a flexible band and a vrow of registering teeth along each of' the -longitudinalmargins l.of the band to interengage lwith corresponding sprocket holes of the films.

10. A cinematographic apparatus for holding one4 cinematovraphic film in registration W1th another, said ilms being provlded With i marginal rows of sprocket holes therein com- 'prising a iexible band', registering teeth thereon to engage the sprocket holes in the films, and means for bringing the band. and films into registration at -an acute angle.

11. In combination, a lilm conveyor com# prisin a backing member having regularly space perforation's adjacent to' its longitu Idinal margins, a lilm having'icorresponding sprocket holes along its longitudinal margins,

and means including registering teeth. fas-` tened in said perforations in the backingy` adapted to enter the. corresponding film, to register and engage the backing and the film in fixed relationship.

12. A film conveyor comprising a metallic flexible strip, and a row of evenly spaced registering teethv affixed thereto adjacent the 1ongitudinal margnsand characterized by havlng tapered or rounded points'.

13. A film conveyor comprising a metallic flexible strip, and a row of evenly spaced registering teeth affixed thereto adjacent the longitudinal margins and characterized by having tapered or rounded points and characterized by having substantially parallel sides.

14. In the art of cinematography, the'- method of maintaining the distance between the sprocket holes of a film substantially equal to a fixed standard While the film is travers- :ing a predetermined path which comprises 18th day of May, 1927.

WILLIAM E. WHITNEY. 

